I had a double take looking at the Houston map. I just got done driving that exact stretch of I45 last night and I don't know how a waymo would have safely navigated from SH288 northbound beyond I10 on I45 NB without getting stuck exiting on I10. TxDOT is considering tearing down a section of I45 in Waymo's map because it's so bad. The current negotiation protocol for a lane change on the piece elevated is threat of imminent violence during typical commute hours.
Waymo should start with the Houston burbs and work their way in from the outside. They don't have a lot of customers in this zone. Downtown Houston is pretty dead compared to most other major metros. All your customers are in pearland and the woodlands looking to visit adjacent shopping.
